Sri Lanka top general retires, may run for president

COLOMBO, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's top general, who engineered the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam after a 25-year war, said on Thursday he had retired from the job, amid speculation he will run for president.

"I gave my retirement papers," General Sarath Fonseka told reporters.

Fonseka is expected to challenge his commander in chief, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in an election due to be held by April. (Reporting By Ranga Sirilal; Writing by Shihar Aneez; Editing by Nick Macfie) (shihar.aneez@thomsonreuters.com; +94-11-237-5903; Reuters Messaging; shihar.aneez.reuters.com@reuters.net))